Buqaqawuli is an emerging contemporary mixed media artist, born in the year 2000 in the Western Cape. She was raised between Philippi township and a remote village in Lady Frere, Eastern Cape, known as Cumakala. Her journey into Fine Art began during her adolescence in Johannesburg, where she developed an immediate and lasting affection for the craft. Since then, she has seamlessly blended her academic background in architecture with her artistic pursuits, resulting in the creation of elaborate paintings.
Through her diverse installations, Buqaqawuli skillfully incorporates materials that weave into themes of black opulence and luxury, notably lace and an array of gemstones. Her primary artistic medium involves acrylic paint on hand-prepared laced paper, often accompanied by custom clay or gold jewelry elements. It is within this medium that the essence of her artistic passion flourishes. She constructs intricate environments that serve to affirm her perception of beauty and tenderness, reflecting how she envisions herself. Simultaneously, her creations serve as a conduit for teaching the world how to perceive not only her but also anyone who identifies with the black female protagonists depicted in Nobakada’s domestic scenes of exaggerated opulence and intimacy.
Nobakada’s art reflects regal expressions of femininity and beauty, unfolding amidst the interplay of traditional and modern beauty ideals in a postcolonial world. This journey is intertwined with the progressing empowerment of women. Her intricate figurative paintings, portraying herself and women in her circle, capture moments of gentle, non-sexual intimacy. This purposeful disclosure empowers black women to embrace their multifaceted selves and connect with the intricate inner worlds of others.
Buqaqawuli Nobakada is currently pursuing an Honours degree in Fine Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand. She actively participates in two online exhibitions with the Latitudes Curator Lab collective and is preparing for the RMB Latitudes art fair in May 2023. Beyond fine art, she collaborates with Levi’s Haus, extending her creative influence into the realm of fashion. Her work has graced exhibitions like “I Am & Nothing Else” at Affinity Art Gallery in Lagos, Nigeria, and the “Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt” Open City group exhibition by FNB Art Joburg.
In line with the words of acclaimed author Nash, “Black feminism uniquely emphasizes love as a political practice.”
